Hedo refuses to wear the Mask

deception · Feb 5, 2010

http://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/article/761436--turkoglu-defiantly-says-he-won-t-wear-mask

A couple of seasons ago, Hedo Turkoglu, the Raptors swingman, broke his nose while battling for space alongside Dwight Howard, the chiseled specimen of a centre. The two were teammates on the Orlando Magic; the whole thing was an accident. But for Turkoglu, maybe it was also an education.

“I learned from that,” Turkoglu said. “I won’t be getting in any battles with that kind of guy.”

Turkoglu learned something else from that bad break: He’s no fan of the form-fitting plastic mask that has become standard-issue gear for hoopsters with facial fractures.

“It’s not comfortable,” Turkoglu said of the mask.

So while Turkoglu fractured a bone below his right eye on Sunday, the player said Friday he’ll play bare-faced in Sunday’s game against the Sacramento Kings.

He may be forced to reconsider his decision. The Raptors have strongly encouraged their $52 million (U.S.) off-season signee to wear a mask to reduce the risk of further injury.

Bryan Colangelo, the Raptors president and general manager, said a medical specialist has advised the team that Turkoglu could be risking frightening damage—up to and including visual impairment—should he play without a mask. And the GM said the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement ultimately gives the club the power to demand that Turkoglu wear the protective equipment or risk suspension.

“Turk’s going to have to fall in line,” Colangelo said on Friday afternoon.

Said Turkoglu earlier in the day: “(Team officials are) trying to force me to wear the mask. I said, ‘Listen, I don’t want to.’ If (injury) happens, it happens. I can’t do nothing about it,” said Turkoglu.

Turkoglu, who fractured his inferior orbital bone, was asked how he justified the risk of playing without protection.

“Listen, you take risk in your life. Even with the mask, I’m still (at) risk to get hit,” he said. “It depends who hits you.”

Turkoglu’s choice is not about vanity. He joked his mask, which he tried in a workout earlier this week for about a half hour, looked “better” than the one that’s been worn by Pistons swingman Rip Hamilton ever since Hamilton broke his nose a few times back in 2003-04.

“I look like Zorro,” quipped Turkoglu, although nobody got a picture of him wearing the get-up (and if somebody did, well, Turkoglu has people who can make those photos go away).

Maybe he already had his mind made up. When he was in Orlando a couple of seasons ago, he said he wore a mask to protect his broken nose for all of one quarter. The reaction around the team ranged from indifference to concern.

Jay Triano, the head coach, pleaded ignorance of Turkoglu’s situation.

“Honestly, I don’t want to get involved in that. That’s something he’s got to figure out with our trainers and doctors,” Triano said. “I’m happy that he wants to play, that he’ll be out there.”

Sonny Weems, the Raptors swingman who wore a mask over a broken nose during his junior year at the University of Arkansas, said he understands Turkoglu’s distaste for the protective shield.

“I hated it when I first wore it. I looked like the Phantom of the Opera,” said Weems.

But the second-year player said he thinks his veteran teammate is making a mistake by leaving his injury exposed.

“It’s a big risk. I think he should wear it. If he gets hit, he probably could go blind,” said Weems. “I wish he would wear it, but there’s only so much you can tell a grown man.”

Turkoglu acknowledged the risk, and the possibility of on-court malice.

“Maybe people will try to go after it, or when I’m taking a jumper, put their hands on top of my face. (Opponents) might be really bothering me,” he said. “But still, I’d rather to not wear it, and not to think about it and talk about it anymore. And play my game like nothing happened.

“I appreciate all the concern, but at the end of it, I’m a grown man, and I make my own decisions. If (further injury) happens, it happens. There’s always risk in life, and I’m ready to take it.”

Colangelo, with most of $50 million (U.S.) owing on Turkoglu’s contract, certainly isn’t ready to take the risk.

“We’ll have to have another conversation with Hedo regarding the topic,” said Colangelo. “We will come to some satisfactory conclusion. If the medical team is telling him he needs to wear the mask, he should be wearing the mask. I didn’t realize this was going to turn into Mask-gate.”
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deception · Feb 5, 2010

this guy is pure drama.

Chocolove · Feb 5, 2010

he should just wear the mask, its not like he's handsome or looks real cool without a mask, he still looks like a goof.

deception · Feb 6, 2010

Chocolove said: ↑

he should just wear the mask, its not like he's handsome or looks real cool without a mask, he still looks like a goof.
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i dont think its because of vanity, i just think he's jackarse who think he's above reproach with his guaranteed- 5 year, big money deal. he's calling the shots and hopefully the organization finds a way to turn the tide in their favour.

Master Shake · Feb 6, 2010

He better wear the mask or he can feel the wrath of Reggie Evans.

deception · Feb 6, 2010

hedo has capitulated and decided to rock the mask. he claims it was on the advise of his "friend" but i happen to think his friend might be otherwise known as his lawyer.

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